Brave New World? Alcohol Substitute That Avoids Drunkenness and Hangovers

Sounds a little too “Brave New World” for my book … Paul Rodgers and Richard Alleyne writes in the Telegraph:

An alcohol substitute that mimics its pleasant buzz without leading to drunkenness and hangovers is being developed by scientists. The new substance could have the added bonus of being “switched off” instantaneously with a pill, to allow drinkers to drive home or return to work.

The synthetic alcohol, being developed from chemicals related to Valium, works like alcohol on nerves in the brain that provide a feeling of wellbeing and relaxation. But unlike alcohol its does not affect other parts of the brain that control mood swings and lead to addiction. It is also much easier to flush out of the body. Finally because it is much more focused in its effects, it can also be switched off with an antidote, leaving the drinker immediately sober.

The new alcohol is being developed by a team at Imperial College London, led by Professor David Nutt, Britain’s top drugs expert who was recently sacked as a government adviser for his comments about cannabis and ecstasy.

He envisions a world in which people could drink without getting drunk, he said.

In the list of addicted drugs ‘Valium’ is one which is very powerful painkiller.Valium is one of the most prescribed medications in the nation, and used to in the treatment of a variety of different conditions. It is also a drug that has highly addictive qualities, and one of the most abused prescription drugs. It is used routinely in the medical and dental industry, as well as used as a sedative in veterinary medicine. It is also routinely used as a treatment for anxiety and insomnia, as well as used as an aid in withdrawal from alcohol or an opiate addiction.